When grain mix or pasta is fully cooked, let cool for 5-10 minutes in fridge (or longer if you have time). Add diced vegetables and mix together thoroughly.

For marinade: (You might want to use more or less oil depending on your taste)
1/4 cup of olive oil
Several glugs of balsamic oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Juice from one lemon
1 tbs. mustard
1 clove of garlic, minced

Mix together all marinade ingredients with a fork until thoroughly incorporated. Pour over pasta and vegetables and mix all together. Serve and enjoy!

I've got one from my Mother--it is simple but one of those things where the sum is better than the parts. You will need cold cooked chicken so get some breast poached first thing, unless you want to buy a roasted chicken to tear up.

Cook the pasta and mix the hot pasta with the chicken and Italian dressing.Cool

Blend the mayo, lemon and mustard. Mix into pasta with remaining ingredients. Chill 2 or more hours. Serves 4 to 8 depending whether you have other dishes.You could add more pasta and dressing to stretch it.

notes: you can make your own dressing by using oil and vinegar, and I don't like those black olives so I don't use them, but you could add other olives in a much smaller amount or a couple Tbsp of capers just for zing.